Cellophane
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2008-07-06T17:49:49Z
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[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 216500035 by [[Special:Contributions/68.110.199.96|68.110.199.96]] ([[User talk:68.110.199.96|talk]]) likely vandalism
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[[Image:rayon synth.png|right|thumb|300px|Cellulose is treated with alkali and carbon disulfide to yield viscose.]]
'''Cellophane''' is a thin, transparent sheet made of regenerated [[cellulose]].
Cellulose fibers from [[celery]], [[wood]], [[cotton]] or [[hemp]] are dissolved in [[alkali]] and [[carbon disulfide]] to make a solution called [[viscose]], which is then extruded through a slit into an [[acid]] bath to reconvert the viscose into cellulose. A similar process, using a hole (a [[spinneret]]) instead of a slit, is used to make a fibre called [[rayon]].
Cellophane was invented in 1908 by [[Jacques E. Brandenberger]], a Swiss textiles engineer. After witnessing a wine spill on a restaurant tablecloth, Brandenberger initially had the idea to develop a clear coating for cloth to make it waterproof. He experimented, and came up with a way to apply liquid viscose to cloth, but found the resultant combination of cloth and viscose film too stiff to be of use. However, the clear film easily separated from the backing cloth, and he abandoned his original idea as the possibilities of the new material became apparent. Cellophane's low permeability to air, grease and [[bacterium|bacteria]] makes it useful for food packaging.
[[Whitman's]] candy company initiated use of cellophane for candy wrapping in the United States in 1912 for their Whitman's Sampler. They remained the largest user of imported cellophane from France until nearly 1924, when [[DuPont]] built the first cellophane manufacturing plant in the US. In 1935 [[British Cellophane Ltd]] was established, a joint venture between La Cellophane SA and [[Samuel Courtauld|Courtaulds]], which opened a major factory producing cellophane in [[Columbus, OH]] in 1937. Cellophane is also used in gift baskets and flower bouquets.
Cellulose film has been manufactured continuously since the mid-1930s and is still used today. As well as packaging a variety of food items, there are also industrial applications, such as a base for self-adhesive tapes like [[Sellotape]] and [[Scotch Tape]], a [[semipermeable|semi-permeable membrane]] in a certain type of [[battery (electricity)|battery]], and as a release agent in the manufacture of [[fibreglass]] and [[rubber]] products. The word "cellophane" has been [[genericized trademark|genericized]], and is often used informally to refer to a wide variety of [[plastic]] film products, even those not made of cellulose.<ref>[http://www.cellobags-clear.com Modern petro based Cello Bags]</ref>
Cellophane sales have dwindled since the 1960s, through use of alternative packaging options, and the fact that [[viscose]] is becoming less common because of the polluting effects of [[carbon disulfide]] and other by-products of the process. However, the fact that cellophane is 100% [[biodegradable]] has meant it is returning in popularity as a food wrapping.<ref>[http://www.pak-sel.com/sub1.htm at Pak-Sel Inc] Accessed March 2007.</ref><ref>[http://greenearthofficesupply.stores.yahoo.net/biodcelbagfo.html Biodegradable cellophane] at Green Earth Office Supply. Accessed March 2007.</ref> It is also used in the making of bendy rulers, although it is not common.
==See also==
*[[Genericized trademark]]
*[[British Cellophane]]
*[[Jacques E. Brandenberger]]
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
*[http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blcellophane.htm Cellophane Invention]
[[Category:Packaging materials]]
[[Category:Cellulose]]
[[Category:Genericized trademarks]]
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[[bg:Целофан]]
[[de:Zellulosehydrat]]
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[[ja:セロファン]]
[[pl:Celofan]]
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